Question

Match each description with the correct characteristic of life from the key. a. Life is organized. b. Living things reproduce and grow. c. Living things respond to stimuli. d. Living things have an evolutionary history. e. Living things acquire materials and energy. Humans need to eat for building blocks and energy.

Short answer

e: Living things acquire materials and energy: Humans need to eat for building blocks and energy.

Step-by-step solution

Analyze each description

First, carefully read and analyze each description to understand what aspect of life it refers to. a. Life is organized. b. Living things reproduce and grow. c. Living things respond to stimuli. d. Living things have an evolutionary history. e. Living things acquire materials and energy.

Match the given statement to a characteristic

Given statement: "Humans need to eat for building blocks and energy." This statement refers to the acquisition of materials and energy for maintenance and growth. So, it matches description e.

Write the final answer

After matching the given statement with the correct description, we can write the final answer as: "e: Living things acquire materials and energy: Humans need to eat for building blocks and energy."

Key concepts

Biological Organization

Understanding the complex structure that defines life starts with appreciating the biological organization of organisms. From the smallest units of life, the cells, which make up tissues, to organs and organ systems that function in harmony, biological organization is a hallmark of life.
Each level of this organization serves a purpose, allowing organisms to maintain homeostasis and interact with their environment effectively. This intricacy is so finely tuned that any change in one level can affect the whole system, illustrating how interconnected and interdependent the levels of biological organization are.

Reproduction and Growth in Organisms

One of the most fundamental aspects of life is the ability to reproduce. Reproduction can be asexual, involving a single organism, or sexual, requiring two organisms to contribute genetic material.
Growth, on the other hand, is the process by which living organisms increase in size and complexity. This process is tightly regulated by genetic information and environmental factors, ensuring that organisms develop correctly and maintain their species' traits through successive generations.

Response to Stimuli

Life is characterized by the ability to respond to stimuli, a feature that ensures survival in a changing environment. These stimuli can be physical, like temperature and light, or chemical, such as the presence of nutrients or toxins.
Organisms have developed intricate sensory and processing systems to detect and respond to these stimuli, adapting their behavior or physiology accordingly. This adaptability is essential for finding food, escaping predators, and many other critical life functions.

Evolutionary History of Life

Evolution offers an explanatory framework for the diversity of life we observe today. It's the process through which species undergo changes over generations due to genetic variation and natural selection.
The evolutionary history of life on Earth is a sprawling tapestry, chronicling how simple single-celled microorganisms ultimately gave rise to the myriad complex forms we see now. This continuous process shapes the adaptations and survival of all living organisms.

Energy and Material Acquisition

All living organisms require energy and materials to perform their essential functions. Through processes like photosynthesis in plants and the consumption of food in animals and humans, these essential resources are acquired and converted into usable energy.
This energy drives metabolic processes, supports growth and repair, and allows for reproduction. The cycle of energy and material acquisition is vital for sustaining life and is a dynamic process that connects all living things in an intricate web of interactions within ecosystems.